In unity, there`s strength
The information Bill Manning relays in “Will Washington Finally Listen?” (Editor`s Opinion, May 1998) is blunt and to the point. The fire service has continually shot itself in the foot by the attitudes displayed. Manning`s description of a fire service carved up with egos and divergent agendas is true throughout the land.
I travel to teach a variety of subjects for the American Trucking Association and my own business. I have been in the combination service for almost 40 years. I have seen the issues referred to time and time again over the entire country.
The fire service must make a stand, if it can. Washington listens to police officers because the perception of crime is different from that of fire. I retired from the Maryland State Police 11 years ago. Police can be a very vocal minority, and their numbers are much fewer than the fire service. Being killed in a fire is not [perceived in the same way] as being killed by a bullet. You are dead either way, but the perception is different.
As the fire service moves forward, if it can, we will see the egos, self-centered attitudes, martyrdom, and fiefdoms, and our progress will be marred by 200 years of history that has performed in the same way. Our troubles in the fire service, volunteer and career, are rooted in someone`s desire to leave his/her mark on the fire service. Very many of these people leave few things that are prominent.
Looking back into my history, I remember people like Lloyd Layman, Emanuel Fried, Charles Bahme, Sherman Pickard, and many like them, who shaped my future learning curve. I do not see many of this stature in today`s fire service. Probably, the fire chief in Phoenix will be as close as we come.
The editorial was one of the most enlightening pieces on the fire service I have seen. Keep up the good work–telling the fire service what it does not want to hear.
Mick Mastrino
United Fire Co. No. 3
Frederick, Maryland
